Where a block of courses has been approved under a general heading such as selected topics, special areas, directed readings or like heading, each new course offered from that block of courses shall be approved in advance by the Faculty/School Council (or delegated Graduate Studies Committee). To ensure an orderly use of the courses and non-duplication between course numbers, titles and contents, the Council (or Committee) shall require the same quality and type of information as is needed for the approval of a regular course. (Consult the School of Graduate Studies or Deputy Registrar for administrative procedures.)

3.3.2 Dean of Graduate Studies

In all regulations following, reference to "the Dean" refers specifically to the Dean of Graduate Studies.

3.3.3 Credit Hour

A credit hour is the measure used to reflect the relative weight of a given course towards the fulfilment of appropriate degree, diploma, certificate, major, minor, or other program requirements. Normally, a course has a credit value of 3 credit hours. A weight of one credit hour normally means that the course meets for lectures one hour per week for the duration of a semester or two hours per week for the duration of a session. The number of hours of required instruction, outside of lecture time, such as laboratory instruction, tutorials, etc. may or may not impact on the number of credit hours assigned to a particular course and academic units may recommend to the Senate a greater or lesser whole number of credit hours for a particular course.

3.3.4 Graduate Course

A graduate course comprises a unit/units of work in a particular subject normally extending through one semester, the completion of which carries credit toward the fulfilment of the requirements for a postbaccalaureate degree, diploma, or certificate.

Accelerated courses are not normally permissible in graduate programs.

Courses required as part of a graduate student's program are known as program courses. Tuition for such courses is covered by the semester fee.

Courses which are not required as part of a graduate student's program are known as non-program courses. Students registering for such courses will be required to pay the appropriate per-course fee.

3.3.5 Policy Governing the Auditing of Courses

In order to audit any course, an individual must receive permission from the instructor in that course, the Supervisor/advisor, and the administrative Head of the unit in which the course is offered. Matters to be considered shall include class size, impact on students registered for credit, and other factors judged relevant by the academic unit. Permission cannot be given until the number of registrations for credit is known.

Individuals auditing courses shall limit their participation to that deemed appropriate by the instructor; auditors are not permitted to write formal examinations, nor to have their work formally assessed.

Students who require a testamur of audition may request the same from the instructor of the course. Students will not register for audit courses nor will a record of audit courses appear on students' transcripts.

3.3.6 Semester

A semester means a period of approximately 14 consecutive weeks during which the University is in regular session and in which period there are at least 12 teaching weeks as defined by the Senate. Normally the Fall semester commences in early September, the Winter semester in early January, and the Spring semester in early May.

3.3.7 Academic Year

The academic year is from September 1 of one year to August 31 of the following year.

3.3.8 Graduate Student

A graduate student is one who has been admitted to a graduate degree or a graduate diploma program.

A full-time graduate student is one who registers as such, devotes full time to his or her academic program and may not commit more than 24 hours a week working time, including teaching assistant or research assistant duties, to matters other than the degree program.

A part-time graduate student is one who is registered for the duration of a semester and is not classified as full-time.

3.3.9 Visiting Graduate Student

A student who is registered in good standing in a graduate program at another recognized institution who comes to Memorial University of Newfoundland to conduct research under the supervision of Memorial University of Newfoundland faculty members is considered to be a visiting graduate student. In order to obtain access to University resources such a student will be required to register each semester of their visit for GRAD 9900 using a Course Change Form.

To be eligible to register, a visiting graduate student must submit an Application for Admission form to the School of Graduate Studies, accompanied by: a) a letter from their home institution verifying graduate student status, and b) a letter from the host faculty member confirming the duration of the visit. The student will then be admitted to the School of Graduate Studies to a "non-degree" program.

Visiting graduate students will be exempt from tuition fees. However, all visiting graduate students will be required, as a condition of registration, to purchase health insurance (international students should contact the International Student Advisor, whereas Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada should contact the Graduate Students' Union for more information). If a visiting graduate student wishes to register for a course while at Memorial University of Newfoundland, s/he must meet the University admission requirements and pay the undergraduate per course fee as indicated at Fees and Charges, UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS.

Note:

A student enrolled in a graduate program at another university who wishes to complete courses at Memorial University of Newfoundland for transfer of credit to his/her home institution is not considered to be a visiting graduate student under this definition. Such students should apply to the Office of the Registrar for admission to the University, and if admitted, will be governed by GENERAL ACADEMIC REGULATIONS. Fees will be assessed in accordance with the fee schedule for undergraduate courses as indicated at Fees and Charges, UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS.

3.3.10 Program

A program, whether it comprises courses only, courses and comprehensive examination, or courses, internship, project, thesis research, paper folio is defined for each graduate student in accordance with Departmental and University Regulations. Each program of study is recommended by the appropriate academic unit, and must be approved in writing by the Dean of Graduate Studies before the beginning of the graduate student's second year of study.

Responsibility for the administration of the program shall rest with the Dean acting on behalf of the School.

Note:

The following general statements concerning admission and Degree requirements should be supplemented by the detailed regulations governing each program.

3.3.11 Collaborative Program Agreements

3.3.11.1 Integrated Pathway Agreements

Memorial University of Newfoundland supports the establishment of agreements with partner institutions that may lead to the completion of multiple degree programs through an integrated pathway.

Examples of such agreements include but are not exclusive to 3+1+1 and 3+1+2 arrangements whereby an undergraduate degree is awarded by the partner institution and the graduate degree is awarded by Memorial University of Newfoundland.

In the 3+1+1 arrangement, a student would complete 3 years of the undergraduate studies at the partner institution, finish the 4th year at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and earn the bachelor’s degree at the partner institution. The student would then enroll in and complete a 1-year master’s program and earn a master’s degree at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

In the 3+1+2 arrangement, a student would complete 3 years of undergraduate studies at the partner institution, finish the 4th year at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and earn the bachelor’s degree at the partner institution. The student would then enroll in and complete a 2-year master’s program and earn a master’s degree at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

All such agreements must comply with the general regulations governing undergraduate and graduate programs at Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Guidelines for Integrated Pathway Agreements provides details on the method of establishing such an agreement. The Guidelines are available from the School of Graduate Studies.

3.3.11.2 Cotutelle Agreements

Memorial University of Newfoundland offers graduate students the opportunity to carry out a joint research project through a cotutelle agreement between Memorial University of Newfoundland and another recognized institution. The student would be expected to participate in research and fulfill degree requirements at both institutions. Students who successfully complete all program requirements would earn doctoral degrees from both institutions. Memorial University of Newfoundland’s Guidelines for Cotutelle Agreements, approved by the Academic Council of the School of Graduate Studies, provides information on the details on the method of establishing such an agreement and program. The Guidelines are available from the School of Graduate Studies.

Upon successful completion of the program, Memorial University of Newfoundland and the cooperating institution will each issue its own doctoral degree certificate. On the certificate and subsequently on the university transcript, the following notation will be added: “This Ph.D. was awarded within a cotutelle agreement. The student was jointly enrolled at University XYZ and Memorial University of Newfoundland and successfully completed the degree requirements of both institutions.”

Graduate students interested in this type of program should contact the School of Graduate Studies for further information.